These disturbing moves are also likely serving as trial balloons to test voter appetite for rolling back cannabis reform progress in other states, and MPP is working with allies to defend these crucial achievements for our movement.

Adam J. Smith discusses the prospective ballot initiatives in Maine and Massachusetts that would, among other things, re-criminalize adult-use sales.

Today, Delaware’s House Health and Human Development Committee voted 10-4 in favor of HB 305, a bill to legalize, tax, and regulate cannabis for adults 21 and older. It now moves to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration before heading to the House floor.

Just last week Connecticut became the 19th state to legalize cannabis for adult use. Today, the law officially goes into effect.

Things are heating up around cannabis legalization in the Ocean State! This Thursday at 4 p.m., the House Finance Committee in the Rhode Island General Assembly will hold a public hearing on several cannabis bills, including Article 11 of Gov. McKee’s budget proposal, which outlines a plan to legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis for adults.

MPP’s general election voter guide is now available; please take time to read it and make a plan to vote! Last week was a huge week for cannabis policy reform in northern New England. On Wednesday evening, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott announced that he would allow a bill legalizing cannabis sales to become law without his signature. He also signed a bill that will automatically expunge all previous misdemeanor records for cannabis offenses. And in Maine, the first adult-use cannabis retail stores opened…

Nearly four years after Maine voters approved cannabis legalization at the ballot box, the will of the people will finally go into full effect today as legal marijuana sales for adults begin! Adults 21 years of age or older with a valid ID can purchase up to 2.5 ounces of a combination of marijuana and marijuana concentrate that includes no more than five grams of marijuana concentrate. It remains illegal to consume marijuana in public spaces. Maine municipalities must opt in to the adult-use…

Bill passes final committee — urge your representatives to vote in favor. Today, Vermont’s House Appropriations Committee approved S. 54 in a 6-5 vote. The bill to legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis sales appears likely to receive a vote in the full House later this week. Please contact your representatives now and ask for their support! The House has amended the bill, including by changing the tax rate to a flat 20% (in the Senate’s version, it’s 16% plus a 2% local option tax), but none of…

Maine’s Office of Marijuana Policy has released a second draft of their proposed rules regarding the state’s adult-use marijuana regulatory framework. The updated draft can be found here. On Thursday, May 23, a public hearing will be held in Portland on these rules. This is your opportunity to have your voice heard. Here are the details: What: Public hearing on adult-use marijuana rulesWhere: Holiday Inn by the Bay, 88 Spring Street, Portland, Maine 04101 When: Thursday, May 23 at 8:00 a.m. If…

Yesterday, the Department of Financial Services released the first draft of the rules governing Maine’s adult-use marijuana program. These rules come from the work the Marijuana Legalization Implementation Committee did over the last two years. As required by the Maine Administrative Procedures Act, a final draft will be provided at least 20 days prior to the date of a scheduled public hearing. Following the public hearing, an additional 10-day public comment period will occur. The rules cover cultivation…